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IRL: Metro Racing PIR Notes

17 March 1998

Metro Racing Systems team owner/driver Stan Wattles is looking forward to his first Indy car race start at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) on March 22. The Sewall's Point, Fla. resident is the only American driver racing in the Indy Racing League's (IRL's) first "all- American" car, with the Riley & Scott MK V chassis, Indy Aurora V8 engines and Goodyear Eagle tires.

Phoenix preparation

The Metro Racing Systems team, based in Stuart, Fla., has spent 30 days on track at seven IRL race venues since its first chassis was delivered in September. Following the first month of development testing with the new chassis, Wattles and the rookie team posted an impressive eighth-place finish in their first IRL race, the Las Vegas 500K, on Oct. 11.

Mechanical difficulties have hindered the team's winter testing, but the crew that made it happen in Las Vegas has committed a "200-percent" effort to prepare for the Phoenix race.

double duty

Wattles has a dual role as owner and driver for Metro Racing Systems. "Being both the owner and the driver is challenging, especially with a new team," he admits. "But when I get to the track, I'm a driver. My whole focus is on racing and getting to the checkered flag first!"

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The Metro Racing transporter carries the logo for St. Paul's Preparatory Academy, a Phoenix college-prep school for boys who are under-motivated. Wattles hosted the students at PIR in February, as part of the Racing to Make a Difference program he initiated in co- operation with the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). He hopes his success in overcoming the challenges of dyslexia, dysgraphia and perception difficulties will encourage others.

John Bishop of Scottsdale, Ariz. will be Metro Racing's team scorer for the Phoenix race.

A for athlete

Wattles has excelled in many sports, including downhill skiing, aquatic sports, target shooting, cross-country running, rock climbing and fixed-wing gliding. He holds a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is one test away from a black belt in Tang Soo Do. His workout routine includes intense martial arts practice, heavy calisthenics and running. He also uses meditation for training and racing.